How Families Can Help the People of Ukraine
The events unfolding in a Russian invasion of Ukraine, together the community of families can come up even from abroad. From humanitarian aid to donating supplies on the border, here’s some easy ways families can actively help.
Ukraine at a happier time. Beach goers at Lanzheron Beach in Odessa. All photos by Michael Runkel.
Editor's note: The situation in Ukraine is constantly evolving, as are the needs of citizens in the country and surrounding regions. We will be keeping this list up to date with the evolving ways Heyterra and families from around the globe can help in the coming days and weeks.
Over the past month and a half, we have watched with horror and sadness the events unfold in a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As we write this in early April, nearly four million Ukrainian refugees have already fled, most mothers and children walking miles to get to neighboring borders. Daily life in Ukraine itself has become a cacophony of air-raid sirens, many Ukrainians using subway stations as bomb shelters.
Here in Germany, where Heyterra is based, we are on the receiving end of the repercussions of war. Here In our local community in Bavaria, as we await economic fallout and energy rationing, friends and families have rallied to donate supplies, open their houses and help create job opportunities to the Ukrainian families that have made it this far. We are doing everything we can to support and hold space for what can happen in the future for Europe. As an American who has lived in Germany the past decade, I was able to experience Germany’s help and solidarity before, during the 2015 during Syrian crisis. Now, the government has begun the integration process, many Germans are hosting families, and a task force has begun to help Ukrainian children attend schools. It makes me have hope in humanity.
We stand with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other world leaders accusing Putin of committing war crimes. As parents, the effects of physical war feels even that much more visceral. So let’s help.
We’ve rounded up some ways families around the world can help—
Help children affected by the war
Save the Children: Save the Children has created a Ukraine crisis-relief fund that’s getting food, water, hygiene kits, cash, and psychosocial support to children and families.
International Rescue Committee: The IRC is on the ground in Poland, helping children and families who have fled from Ukraine.
ChildFund International: Founded in 1983, ChildFund offers international financial support to children in need. For our readers in Germany, ChildFund Deutschland, is providing emergency-aid kits to children and families in Ukraine.
Voices of Children: This organization helps provide psychological support to Ukrainian children affected by armed conflict.
River flowing through Kamianets-Podilskyi, Ukraine. Photo by Michael Runkel.
Donate medical supplies
Doctors Without Borders / Medicins San Frontieres: Now with teams in We now have teams in Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, Hungary, Slovakia, Russia, and Belarus to help wiht psychosocial support and responding to Covid-19 in Ukraine.
Sunflower of Peace: This project aims to provide first-aid backpacks to paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack contains enough tactical first-aid supplies for five to ten people.
For our German readers, Ukraine Hilfe Berlin collect donations in kind from various organizations and forward them to the verified, trusted medical clinics and field hospitals in the Ukraine.
An Orthodox church in the Khotyn Fortress on the bank of the Dniester River, Ukraine. Photo by Michael Runkel.
Support women
UN Women: Many of the Ukrainian women and girls fleeing the war are in desperate need of shelter and humanitarian aid, and will continue to need support following the conflict. You can sign up to make a monthly donation to help these women in need.
Mothers having to transport their children by foot out of Ukraine, We Carry Ukraine in Brooklyn, New York, is an informal organization of parents volunteering to provide baby carriers to the caregivers fleeing Ukraine, so that they can wear their babies and move easily and quickly. (Adriane is also an official Heyterra sister).
The Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Right’s, the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, Feminist Workshop, and Razom Emergency Response support women and girls.
Ukrainian Women’s Fund and CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund aim to provide food, water, hygiene kits, and more to Ukrainians, especially women and girls.
Support refugees
World Central Kitchen is working to serve fresh meals to Ukrainian refugees, as well as Ukrainians remaining in the country.
CORE: Community Organized Relief Effort provides immediate aid and recovery to international underserved communities. Donate to its relief effort for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. The money will go toward cash disbursements, hygiene supplies, and COVID-19 tests.
Plan International has a Ukraine humanitarian fund to support families who have fled to Poland, Moldova, and Romania.
Support BIPOC and LGBTIQ+ refugees
Black Women for Black Lives: Through its #BlackinUkraine initiative, this organization is raising money to help Black refugees leave Ukraine, especially students.
The Coalition to Support Black People in Ukraine: This fundraiser aims to help Black people facing racism and being turned back as they try to flee the country. Funds will go toward paying relocation fees and connecting Black refugees with their families, as well as food and other practical supplies.
Fundacja Ocalenie: This immigrant-focused organization is raising money for African and Indian students fleeing Ukraine.
Urgent Action Fund For Women’s Human Rights: Donations to this organization’s Ukraine Response Fund will support women, trans, and nonbinary activists in Ukraine and surrounding countries.
